Agenda item - Response to report of Health and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Alcohol

6.1       The Committee considered the covering report of the Head of Law detailing the findings of the Scrutiny Panel into requesting that the Committee consider the recommendations put forward by the Health & Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Panel, Scrutiny Panel on Alcohol in relation to proposed revision of the current Statement of Licensing Policy. An extract from the Minutes of the Health & Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Panel and a full copy of the report of the Scrutiny Panel on Alcohol were appended to the report.

6.2       It was noted that The Overview & Scrutiny Committee have forwarded their report to the Licensing Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Functions) for information and are also seeking the Committees’ approval to review the current Statement of Licensing Policy in the terms set out.

6.3       Councillor Deane who had Chaired the Panel stated that the broad scope offered by the review had enabled Members to consider a number of issues related to the night time economy in depth and that she wished to place on record her gratitude to her fellow Panel Members for their valuable contributions. Councillor Deane went on to explain that in formulating their recommendations the Panel had tried to seek a balance between the cities cultural offer, business generated by the night time economy and other interests. It had been highlighted as of importance to ensure that there was a varied offer which was not entirely based around alcohol consumption and that low/no alcohol alternatives were encouraged and available. The importance of initiatives such as “Sensible on Strength” had an important role to play.

6.4       Councillor Simson who had also sat on the Panel referred to the work which was already being carried out across the city. For example the annual “Carnage” event for newly arrived students at the beginning of each academic year was not supported by the University of Sussex who stressed that they had no connection with the event and were pro- active in trying to ensure that it ceased. Councillor Simson went on to state that the Panel were clearly of the view that the existing matrix system required amendment and this was reflected in the report recommendations.

6.5       Councillor Theobald stated that that in her view the city would benefit from having more late night coffee bars which would provide a focus for non-alcoholic refreshment.

6.6       Councillor Duncan fully supported the report recommendations and commended the excellent work which had been undertaken in preparing the report and formulating its recommendations.

6.7       Councillor Rufus stated that although the report had taken a while to prepare it provided a detailed and considered baseline for further work.

6.7       RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the Recommendations set out in the Executive Summary on Page 4 of the report;

     (2)That the Committee notes the Panel’s recognition of the strengths of the Statement of Licensing Policy and agrees to authorise officers to carry forward their recommendation that the Policy and Matrix be reviewed by this Committee, in particular

(a)   the geographical scope of the Cumulative Impact Zone;

(b)   that café bars are given their own categorisation in the Matrix to recognise that they are not restaurants or pubs and that different  guidance may apply;

(c)   review the definition of residential or commercial areas;

(d) review the statement on hours of alcohol sale; and

(e) review the policy on food and alcohol retailers outside the CIZ (Page 16 of the report; gather and assess the evidence necessary for a review of the policy as above in particular the evidence for inclusion of further areas into the CIZ and that officers report back to this committee with a detailed report and amended policy proposal for approval by the committee with a view to commencement of the statutory consultation process and

(3) That officers gather and assess the evidence necessary for a review of the policy as above in particular the evidence for inclusion of further areas into the CIZ and that officers report back to this committee with a detailed report and amended policy proposal for approval by the committee with a view to commencement of the statutory consultation process.

Note: Councillor Wells abstained from voting in respect of the report recommendations.